#finance

GCC IPO Q2 2025 highlights/ Image for illustrative purposes Saudi tadawul-getty-Images

GCC IPO market holds steady with $2.5bn raised in Q2 2025, PwC says

PwC noted that while Q3 is typically a quieter season for IPOs, a strong and diversified pipeline remains in place across the GCC

DIFC H1 2025 highlights Image DIFC

DIFC welcomes 1,081 new active registered companies in H1

The DIFC Academy recorded its highest ever enrolment in a six-month period, with 4,947 learners completing programmes in H1 2025.

UAE banking assets exceed Dhs4.749tn in April, shows CBUAE report

UAE banking assets exceed Dhs4.749tn in April, shows CBUAE report

The central bank’s total balance sheet stood at Dhs972.3bn, comprising Dhs449.1bn in current and deposit accounts

First Abu Dhabi Bank reports H1 net profit of Dhs10.63bn Image: FAB

First Abu Dhabi Bank reports H1 net profit of Dhs10.63bn

In the second quarter of the year, net profit rose 29 per cent to Dhs5.51bn compared to Q2 2024, the bank shared

DP World Trade Finance hits $1bn mark, targeting gaps in emerging markets

DP World Trade Finance crosses $1bn mark, targeting gaps in emerging markets

DP World Trade Finance was launched to address persistent challenges faced by SMEs, many of whom are unable to secure loans from traditional institutions

Dubai Abu-top tax friendly cities index.

Abu Dhabi, Dubai top Multipolitan’s tax-friendly cities index

The UAE’s top ranking is attributed to its zero personal income tax, relatively low property transfer costs, and regulatory stability

Hichem Djouhri - Senior Executive Officer of ASB Capital on the MENA region becoming a core pillar for various asset classes

MENA’s moment: A region becoming a core pillar across asset classes

The region’s diversification is supported by institutional reforms, improved regulatory frameworks, and financial infrastructure modernisation that together are driving investor confidence

IHC rebrands eFunder as Zelo following acquisition

IHC rebrands eFunder as Zelo following acquisition

Fully licensed and regulated by ADGM’s FSRA, Zelo has been operating since August 2020, delivering receivables-based funding to address the region’s SME working capital gap

Emerging market debt set for growth amid global shifts, policy divergence

Emerging market debt set for growth amid global shifts, policy divergence

Emerging market rates have scope to do well amid slowing growth, reasonably behaved FX and balance of power, though a spike in oil prices could curtail rate cuts in the short term

Saudi Arabia cma approves key reforms to boost asset mgmt sector _image-for-illustrative-purposes

Saudi Arabia’s CMA approves key reforms to strengthen asset management sector

These changes follow a record year in 2024 when the CMA approved 44 new investment funds, including equity, money market, Waqf (endowment), and ETF funds

Insights: What commodities might be telling us about the global economy

Insights: What commodities might be telling us about the global economy

As trade policy continues to evolve and global uncertainties persist, commodity markets may be a crucial piece in the mosaic of where we truly stand

Family Office Summit's Obediah Ayton on trends impacting generational wealth transfer

Family Office Summit’s Obediah Ayton on trends impacting generational wealth transfer

The chair of the summit shares insights, ranging from next-gen leadership and gender diversity to wealth tech and sustainability

Ali Nanji, Regional Sales Director, Middle East – Backbase - on re-inventing the commercial banking experience in the Middle East

Insights: Re-inventing the commercial banking experience in the Middle East

Relationship managers remain essential to commercial banking — but they need modern tools and data-rich platforms to do their jobs effectively, says Nanji

UAE secures top sovereign credit ratings from major agencies

UAE secures top sovereign credit ratings from major agencies

Three major global credit rating agencies underscores the UAE’s robust fiscal standing, positioning it among a select group of countries globally with strong sovereign credit ratings across the board

PIF tops the world: Saudi’s sovereign fund declared most valuable brand

Saudi’s PIF launches commercial paper programme to diversify funding sources

PIF holds a long-term issuer rating of Aa3 with a stable outlook from Moody’s, and an A+ rating, also with a stable outlook, from Fitch

Oman to implement personal income tax in 2028, targets high earners

Oman to implement personal income tax in 2028, targets high earners

Oman will impose a 5 per cent tax on taxable income for individuals whose gross annual income exceeds OMR42,000, derived from specific income types outlined in the legislation

UAE ranks 10th globally for FDI in 2024, attracts record Dhs167.6bn

UAE ranks 10th globally for FDI in 2024, attracts record Dhs167.6bn

Since 2015, annual FDI inflows into the UAE have grown from Dhs31.6bn ($8.6bn) to Dhs167.6bn, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 per cent

CICC's Barry Chan on bridging China-Gulf investment flows

CICC’s Barry Chan on bridging China-Gulf investment flows

Barry Chan, head of Asia-Australia Region, outlines how the firm aims to drive two-way capital flows within the China-GCC corridor, tapping into the Gulf’s growing appetite for cross-border collaboration

Bloomberg LP's Lina Abou Diab highlights how policy, investor appetite, and long-term sustainability goals are shaping the region’s fixed income strategies in 2025

Steady momentum, strategic shifts: Inside EMEA’s sustainable finance landscape

Bloomberg LP’s Lina Abou Diab highlights how policy, investor appetite, and long-term sustainability goals are shaping the region’s fixed income strategies in 2025

binghatti launches Binghatti Capital in Difc

Dubai’s Binghatti launches DIFC-based Shariah-compliant asset management firm

The new entity plans to manage approximately $1bn in Shariah-compliant private credit and real estate strategies

GCC public spending projected to hit $542bn in 2025

GCC public spending projected to hit $542bn in 2025

Oil revenues remain the largest component of government income in the region, making fiscal positions highly sensitive to global oil price fluctuations

Trump reports more than $600m in income from crypto, golf, licensing fees

Trump reports over $600m in income from crypto, golf, licensing fees

According to reports, a meme coin released earlier this year by the president — $TRUMP — alone has earned an estimated $320m in fees

Nettlestone Capital Advisors launches in DIFC

Nettlestone Capital Advisors launches in DIFC

Nettlestone is among the few firms in the DIFC offering fundraising services tailored to alternative and specialist managers targeting Gulf-based investors

Syed Muhammad Ali od MyZoi shares how tech is reshaping financial access in the GCC

Banking on inclusion: How tech is reshaping financial access in the GCC

Governments, regulators, fintech innovators, employers and civil society must work together to ensure that no one is left behind, says MyZoi’s CEO

Insights: Why AI trader agents could be a valuable financial asset by Saad Naja

Insights: Why AI trader agents could be a valuable financial asset

By offering scalable, adaptive tools that cater to all levels of traders, AI trader agents aim to bridge the gap between access and expertise — empowering users to trade smarter, not harder

Abu Dhabi: ADGM assets under management show 33% YoY rise in Q1

Abu Dhabi: ADGM assets under management show 33% YoY rise in Q1

The number of fund and asset managers at ADGM grew to 119 managing 184 funds in Q1

ANAX Capital: Tabinda Sanpal's vision for transparent trading debuts in UAE

ANAX Capital: Tabinda Sanpal’s vision for transparent trading debuts in UAE

With a capital base of Dhs30m, the category 1 SCA-licenced firm aims to empower traders with reliable technology and a client-first approach

MENA M&A activity surges in Q1 2025 with $46bn in deals: EY

MENA M&A activity surges in Q1 2025 with $46bn in deals: EY

The MENA deal markets remained resilient despite lack of clarity on two fronts: the impact of monetary policy on cost of capital and the ongoing tariff and trade discussion, said EY

ADGM FSRA fines 23 entities for tax regualtion breach Image ADGM

ADGM’s FSRA fines 23 entities for international tax regulation breach

The CRS and FATCA frameworks are part of international efforts to enhance tax transparency and combat global tax evasion

The co-head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes shares the outlook for IPOs and other key investment trends across the region

EFG Hermes’ Karim Meleka sees IPO, infrastructure momentum in MENA amid reforms

The co-head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes shares the outlook for IPOs and other key investment trends across the region